Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 24 Jan 2016

1. Is deadly Storm Jonas on its way to the UK?

Storm Jonas, which has caused colossal snow blizzards on the US east coast, is on its way to Britain, according to some weather experts. The storm has claimed at least 19 lives in the US and led to a state of emergency being declared in ten states and Washington DC. Severe weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for much of Wales, north west England and the West of Scotland.

2. Ex MI5 chief: service knew about Gitmo torture

A former MI5 intelligence officer is to expose explosive new evidence the security service knew inmates at Guantanamo Bay were being tortured, says The Sunday Times. A significant number of top officials, including MI5’s senior management board, lawyers and senior officers, held confidential “torture” meetings on several occasions during 2002, says the report.

3. Britain ‘set to open door to migrant children’

Britain is set to admit thousands of migrant children, says The Observer. David Cameron is reportedly considering calls to let thousands of unaccompanied migrant children into the UK within weeks. The prime minister has come under pressure from charities after Jeremy Corbyn, who visited refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk yesterday, urged emergency steps.

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4. Now Clint Eastwood wades into Oscars race controversy

Clint Eastwood has shrugged off the Oscars race row, saying: “All I know is there's thousands of people in the Academy and a lot of them, the majority of them, haven't won Oscars.” Speaking of calls for the ceremony to be boycotted after no non-white actors were nominated, the Hollywood legend said: “A lot of people are crying, I guess.”

5. Ground-breaking study spotlights threats to MPs

There are calls for MPs to be given greater protection after a study found that four out of five had been victims of intrusive or aggressive behaviour, with 36 scared to even go out in public. “One MP described how his marriage was close to breakdown, as his wife blamed him for the persistent amorous intrusions of a female constituent,” the research, carried out by psychiatrists, notes.

6. Smelly bedrooms ‘are affecting teens’ education’

A sleep expert is warning that the odour of teenagers’ bedrooms could be causing insomnia, which has been linked to low exam grades. Professor of sleep medicine at Oxford University, Colin Espie, said teenagers will be given advice on “bedroom hygiene” as part of a nationwide study into concerns that youngsters are so sleep-deprived that it is affecting their academic performance.

7. Cameron faces EU backlash as Tory truce crumbles

David Cameron is facing a growing backlash from MPs over Europe. As the party’s truce on the issue begins to crumble, an alliance of 40 Conservatives have written to the PM requesting a meeting to discuss concerns that he will fail to restore Britain’s “sovereignty” over setting tax rates and laws. “Sovereignty belongs to the people,” says the Eurosceptic group Conservatives for Britain.

8. Attenborough told his teeth were ‘too big’ for TV

Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough was initially kept behind the camera because his teeth were considered too large, he tells the Sunday Telegraph. He reveals a memo which read: “Attenborough is an intelligent young man and I’m delighted to have him as a trainee producer but he should not be used as an interviewer again because his teeth are too big.”

9. IMF says Brexit paranoia adding to market chaos

Fear that Britain will quit the EU is adding to the turbulence on global financial markets, argues the IMF’s managing director Christine Lagarde. Speaking in Davos yesterday, she said a swift deal that would keep the UK in the EU would be to the benefit of European and world economies. She said such an agreement would “really be conducive to more stability and more a cohesive economic zone”.

10. Mourinho ‘sends six-page letter to Old Trafford’

Jose Mourinho has written a six-page letter to Manchester United, putting his case to become the club's next manager, according to reports. Current Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal was booed by fans yesterday after his side lost 1-0 to Southampton, failing to score a first-half goal for the 11th home game in a row. Liverpool beat Norwich 5-4 in a thrilling tie. Today, Arsenal host Chelsea.